Posted: Sun, Nov 5, 2017, 10:11 AM ET (1511 GMT)
SpaceX launched a Korean communications satellite Monday, tying a record set by a competitor in the process. The Falcon 9 lifted off on schedule at 3:34 pm EDT (1934 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center and placed the Koreasat 5A satellite into geostationary transfer orbit 36 minutes later. The rocket's first stage made a successful landing on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. The launch was the 16th this year for SpaceX, with at least three more scheduled for this year. This is the most launches in any year so far for SpaceX, and ties United Launch Alliance, who launched 16 missions in 2009 on Atlas and Delta vehicles.